Sonic X Shadow Generations review

Originally released last October, Sonic X Shadow Generations delivered both a commemoration of Sonic Team’s quarter-century legacy while also propelling the franchise into new territory. Now, the title’s been ported to the Switch 2, becoming an attractive entry in the Switch 2’s launch library. However, if you already own the title on another system (especially the original Switch version; there’s no upgrade path) it’s difficult to recommend a double-dip at the game’s fifty-dollar price point. But if you’re looking for some vibrant platforming to supplement Mario Kart World’s racing, Sonic X Shadow might be a worthwhile consideration.

One half of Sonic X Shadow Generations’ bundle is a reimagining of 2011’s Sonic Generations. Fourteen years on, this remains a rousing thrill ride, splitting gameplay between side-scrolling 2D levels culled from classic Sonic and 3D sequences starring a more modern Hedgehog. Reworkings of Green Hill Zone and Seaside Hill revisit the Blue Blur’s celebrated outings, careening through colorful stages at breakneck speed.

Sonic, Still Dashing as Ever

Here, they’re bolstered by a fluid, if not completely faultless framerate. Purists might notice the rare flutter as classic Sonic winds around a bend or modern Sonic closes in on terminal velocity. But between the remixed soundtracks and the sheer sense of speed on display, it’s a forgivable blemish. For me, the bigger issue is the intermittent moments when modern Sonic snatches control from the player, as the hedgehog goes into auto-pilot. Just like in the Dreamcast era, these brief moments disrupt the thrill of chaining lock-on jumping kills.

Yet, it’s the other half of Generations that truly shines. Yes, Shadow’s stages are the showcase, with trippy runs across winding pathways, rails, and vaulting across successions of enemies. Unlike his blue counterpart, Shadow’s levels deliver a sense of wonder and experimentation. Building on his brooding personality, these stages bend level geometry into a M.C. Escher-style mind-screw.

Hypnotized in the Shadow World

From kaleidoscope-inspired symmetry, winding routes, and visual tricks that mess with your perception, there’s a lot going on. But that’s the point with Shadow’s Story on par with the hallucinogenic qualities of Jeff Minter. There’s a lot going on, from the ability to slow down time, lock and fire at targets, glide through the air, and even morph into an alien at one point. Between Shadow’s Chaos Control and Doom Powers, there’s a wealth of variety that accompanies each level.

Given all this, Shadow’s campaign offers its own distinct rhythm, complementing Sonic’s speed rush. And when fused with a synth-driven soundtrack with some edgy industrial qualities, it’s clear that Shadow Generations isn’t a lazy reskin.

An Explanation for the Brooding Demeanor 

Although Shadow’s storyline doesn’t boast breadth, the tension between programmed purpose and autonomy is undoubtedly one of the more interesting conflicts in the property. Importantly, it provides justification for the character’s sulkiness. And if you’re not into hedgehog existentialism, there’s plenty of pulpy allusions to be found, with references from everything from Sonic Adventure 2 to the 2006 soft-reboot.

Visually, the Switch 2 version of Shadow shines once you’ve dropped int the menu and selected the ‘performance’ option under graphical options. Although it might not be quiet as sharp as the PS5 or Xbox Series X iterations, Shadow Generations offers a signification bump in texturing quality over the original Switch iteration. More importantly, the game outputs a stable 60 frames-per-second on Switch 2. Meanwhile, load times are near instantaneous, making retries painless. And what’s a perk in a title that persuades replay for better ranks and collectibles.

Ring Kings

The Switch 2 version of Sonic X Shadow Generations offers a lot to enjoy, particularly for players new to the game or those who skipped the previous ports. The dual-campaign arrangement provides more substance than most platformers. Pleasingly, Shadow’s chapters avoid the feeling of being second-tier filler. That said, returning players may find the lack of extras make the package hard to justify at full price.

Sonic X Shadow Generations was played on Switch 2 with review code provided by the publisher.